Protestant Pastors’ Use of Statistics

2

Methodology The telephone survey of Protestant pastors was

conducted November 5-12, 2009 The calling list was randomly drawn from a list of all

Protestant churches. Up to six calls were made to reach a sampled phone number

Each interview was conducted with the senior pastor, minister or priest of the church called

Responses were weighted to reflect the geographic distribution of Protestant churches

3

Methodology The completed sample is 1,002 phone

interviews The sample provides 95% confidence that

the sampling error does not exceed +3.1%

4

Two-thirds of Protestant pastors think Christians frequently misuse statistics to fit their own agenda

11%

33% 33%

16%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

StronglyDisagree

SomewhatDisagree

SomewhatAgree

Strongly Agree

Not Sure: 6%

Q. 30 I think Christians frequently misuse statistics to fit their own agenda

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More than 9 out of 10 Protestant pastors consult statistics about church and culture, but the frequency varies widely

Not Sure: 1%

About once a month, 14%

About once a year, 8%

Never, 8%

Several times a year, 32%

Rarely, 27%

Several times a month, 10%

Q. 31 How often do you consult statistics about church and culture?

Twenty-four percent of Protestant pastors consult statistics once a month or more, but 35% rarely or never consult statistics about church and culture

6

Protestant Pastors obtain statistics and research from the following sources

61%

28%

40%

4%

71%

26%31%

61%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Articles Books University/AcademicWebsites

FoundationWebsites

ResearchWebsites

GovernmentWebsites

OtherWebsites

None of these

Not sure: 1%

Q. 32 From which of the following sources do you get statistics and research?Note: examples were provided for two options: Foundation websites (such as Pew) and Research websites (such as Gallup, Barna, or LifeWay Research)

Among Protestant pastors who consult statistics about church and culture

7

Ways in which Protestant pastors consider statistics and research helpful

80%

67%

70%

5%

74%

67%

61%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

None of these

Proving the need for change

Providing interesting information within sermons orteaching

Understanding the people who attend church

Avoiding assumptions about what problems needto be addressed

Making plans for their church based on facts

Understanding the communities they are seeking toreach

Q33 In which if any of the following ways do you consider statistics and research helpful for church leaders?  (Choose all that apply )

Not sure: 1%

Protestant Pastors’ Use of Statistics